The dividing line between movies and games and toys is getting thinner. We may be coming to a point where being in the toy business also means being in the entertainment business.
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There are currently a number of movies in the works that are based upon popular toys and games. Mattel, Hasbro, and Spin Master are all involved, and in today’s entertainment starved environment, it’s probably a good idea. These movies could not only supply box office receipts but increase sales for some classic toys.
Mattel, under CEO Ynon Kreiz, has gotten serious about the movie business by creating Mattel Films. Headed by Robbie Brenner, Mattel films now appears to be the most aggressive in making movies out of its toy and game properties.
Uno – Starring rapper Lil Yachty, the Uno movie is said to be a comedy, action thriller.
Barbie – Mattel Films is working with Warner Brothers on a movie starring Margot Robbie
Magic 8 Ball – Mattel is working with horror movie studio, Blumhouse on what appears will be a horror movie. Blumhouse created a Ouija movie with Hasbro, so it sounds like it could be in the same vein.
Hot Wheels – The word is that the live-action movie will have a Fast and Furious vibe.
View-Master – Mattel is working with MGM on a movie about the classic toy.
Hasbro also has plans. There appears to be a Dungeons and Dragons movie in the works. According to Variety in an article entitled, “Chris Pine to Star in ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ Movie for Paramount,” “Paramount is co-producing and co-financing the “Dungeons and Dragons” movie with Hasbro and eOne. eOne.”
Finally, Spin Master is not just sitting there. According to Variety, there are plans for a Rubiks Cube movie.
The dividing line between movies and games and toys is getting thinner. We may be coming to a point where being in the toy business also means being in the entertainment business. Yet, another hurdle for smaller toy companies.
